WHITCHURCH V CHRISTCHURCH

WESSEX LEAGUE CUP

MATCH RESULT: 1 - 6

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAN TAYLOR
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY
5. BEN LUCAS
6. MARTIN HARRIS
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. PAUL RIDEOUT

SUBS USED:

DAVID LEGG
JACQUES BERNARD

A five star display from Christchurch in difficult conditions (all credit to Whitchurch for getting the game played) saw them progress to the last eight of the league cup.

With the wind behind them Church started in dominant fashion and it was 27 minutes before Stewart Kearn in the visitors goal had his first shot to save in open play by which time the visitors were two goals to the good. The first on 7 minutes was a superb Ben Osborne header from a Mark Smith corner and the same player was unlucky not to add to his tally twice in the next few minutes when from a short corner he headed just wide and then a fierce left foot shot went over the bar. It was Osborne who unselfishly became provider for the second goal when he laid the ball off to Tom Jeffes to finish clinically from 15 yards.

Church continued to dominate and on the half hour Ben Lucas had a header cleared off the line and it looked just a matter of time for the third goal to arrive. However the home side towards the end of the half had their best spell of the game and on 41 minutes with their first real effort on goal scored when a free kick on the edge of the box went under the defensive wall and into the corner of the net.

With the conditions in their favour in the second half and only a one goal disadvantage it looked as if Whitchurch would be a real danger but how different it proved to be. Kearn made a good save on 52 minutes but in the next five minutes the game was effectively over as Church had increased their lead to 4-1. On 55 minutes a miss hit Osborne shot or perhaps it was an intended pass landed at the feet of Paul Rideout who beat his full back superbly and fiercely drove the ball in the net and two minutes later after an excellent run and cross from Marc Fairbrother Osborne scored his second of the night from close range.

After this it was just a matter of how many the visitors would score and Osborne was close to scoring his hat trick on a number of occasions before Tom Jeffes netted his second and the team's fifth being set up by Jacque Bernard on as substitute for the impressive Martin Harris. Adam Costello then hit the the bar and Marc Fairbrother missed from close range before the other substitute David Legg added the sixth on 84 minutes. The movement and passing on both flanks was a delight to watch and midfield maestro Mark Smith was unlucky not to score a seventh when after several passes saw him clear on goal but his delicate chip was well saved by the home keeper.

This was an excellent performance from Church after the disappointment of the past few days and puts them in good stead for the difficult fixtures prior to Christmas.

Donners

TOTTON AND ELING V CHRISTCHURCH

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 2 - 1 (MATCH ABANDONED AFTER 74 MINUTES)

GOAL SCORER: TOM JEFFES

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY
5. STEVE LINPOW
6. DAN TAYLOR
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARTIN LAWRENCE
9. TOM PRICE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. MARC FAIRBROTHER

SUB USED:

BEN OSBORNE

The weather had the final say when the game was controversially abandoned after 74 minutes. It looked as if the worst of the wind and rain had passed but the referee after consulting all and sundry except one of his colleagues decided that it was unsafe to continue.
The larger than average crowd due to a number of assessors being present were treated to a slow opening with Church forcing two early corners but the home side who have been one of the surprise packages this season carried the more threat with their energetic work rate and neat passing and it came as no surprise when they took the lead on 21 minutes. Church have been exposed on the flanks a number of times this season and this time a cross from the right by line left a home forward with an open goal.
The rest of the first half saw Totton threatening to increase their lead but the half time score remained at 1- 0 to the home side.
As has been the case on a number of occasions the start of the second period saw a different Church and on 47 minutes a fine individual goal by Tom Jeffes brought the scores level. He received the ball some 30 yards out and with good control and pace he beat the home keeper with a fine left foot finish. The lead was only to last some 3 minutes though as Totton took the lead with a goal of comedy proportions. A throw in was taken some five yards from the right place and an innocuous cross from the right back crept into the corner of the net. Church came close to levelling five minutes after this after a goal mouth scramble but then the weather got worse and was in part responsible (perhaps the presence of the assessors was another factor) for Dan Taylor and a Totton player being given red cards after 70 minutes.
Play continued for some 4 minutes during which the referee stopped play on a couple of occasions to discuss the conditions with one of his officials and then to the disgust of the home players and officials called a halt to proceedings.
With the game being abandoned the goal scorers will not be credited with their goals but the yellow and red cards will stand which does seem rather strange. In addition whilst I have my moaning hat on the Wessex League handbook is rather vague on what applies to a game when it is abandoned. The writer spends his working week reading Income Tax Acts which are far from clear and on looking through the handbook it does not state if the result stands or if the game should be replayed. One suspects the latter but it would help all concerned if this was actually stated in the book.

Donners

CHRISTCHURCH V ALMONDSBURY

FA VASE ROUND 3

MATCH RESULT: 2 - 5

Goal Scorers: Adam Costello, Tom Jeffes

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAN TAYLOR
4. BEN LUCAS
5. STEVE LINPOW
6. MARTIN LAWRENCE
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. PAUL RIDEOUT

Sub used

DAVID LEGG

Christchurch were dealt a blow prior to naming their side when influential skipper Dan Crutchley was ruled out due to illness. The kick off was delayed to 8:15pm due to travel problems incurred by the visitors but you would not have thought they were suffering any ill effects as mentioned later.

Almondsbury started like a house on fire opening the scoring on 2 minutes when their right winger sped to the by line and provided an inch perfect cross for an unmarked centre forward to head home from 5 yards and matters got worse for Church in the next minute when an unstoppable shot from 25 yards from the left wing made it 2- nil. You thought matters could only get better but they got worse on 11 minutes when a corner was allowed to go right across goal and a third goal was poked in from 2 yards. If it had not been for Kearn saving a harshly awarded penalty on 18 minutes matters would have got completely out of hand.

With nothing to lose the home side started to play like we know they can and put the visitors under pressure and Tom Jeffes was unlucky not to score on 32 minutes being denied by a fine save. However it was not all Christchurch and the visitors with their pacey forwards threatened every time they came over the halfway line. It looked as if Church had pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time but Jeffes strike from close range was superbly turned round the post by the Almondsbury keeper.

The second half started with Church attacking and they pulled a goal back on 48 minutes when Adam Costello headed home from a Mark Smith corner and for the next 10 minutes laid siege to the visitors goal and were unfortunate not to add to their goal tally. Having survived this passage of play the away side scored a 4th goal on 70 minutes with a clinical finish by their substitute but not to be denied Jeffes scored the goal he deserved on 79 minutes. This was not the end of the scoring as on 89 minutes an Almondsbury player was allowed to run some 60 yards unchallenged to score goal number 5.

Apart from the disastrous first 10 minutes there was not an awful lot to choose between the two sides and Christchurch can take heart from their spirited display in the second half whilst the visitors face a difficult away tie at Witney in the next round but from what we saw and from our own experience last year they could do very well.

Donners

BLACKFIELD & LANGLEY V CHRISTCHURCH

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT 2 - 3

GOAL SCORERS: BEN OSBORNE (2), TOM JEFFES

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAN TAYLOR
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY
5. BEN LUCAS
6. MARTIN LAWRENCE
7. MARK SMITH
8. TOM PRICE
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. JAMES BURDEN

SUBS USED

12. DAVID LEGG
14. PAUL RIDEOUT

The saying "a game of two halves" is used all too commonly but if there was ever a game that was suited to this title then this was it.

In the first 45 minutes Christchurch were dire with just one effort on goal but with the second half it was a different story due to manager Graham Kemp's team talk and astute tactical changes resulting in an injury time winning goal.

The first 20 minutes were fairly even but on 21 minutes the home side took the lead when from a corner the marking was non existent resulting in a free header from 5 yards. Matters got worse for Church 2 minutes later when the dangerous Neil Williams was allowed to run some 40 yards unchallenged and slot the ball home to make it 2- 0. After this the visitors played some neat football without threatening in the final third and were fortunate it was only 2- 0 at the break as on 41 minutes they cleared an effort off the goal line.

What a difference the break made and with the introduction of David Legg, within 5 minutes of the restart it was all level. Firstly on 48 minutes Ben Osborne scored a scrambled goal from close range and on 50 minutes Tom Jeffes held off a strong unfair challenge from a defender rounded the goalkeeper and netted the equaliser. In addition there were two further opportunities for Church to take the lead in the next 5 minutes but these were not taken. It was not all one way traffic however as the home side were dangerous at set pieces due to their tall players and they nearly took the lead on 64 minutes when Williams hit the top of the bar with a left wing cross shot.

However due to strong defending by the visitors especially the impressive Ben Lucas it was Church who looked the most likely to score the winner and when it came in injury time it was worth the wait. Substitute Paul Rideout crossed from the left and Mark Smith who became more influential as the game progressed hit a superb volley from 15 yards against the post/ crossbar but the rebound fell to the head of Ben Osborne who scored his 12th goal of the season.

Credit obviously goes to the players but also to the manager who was brave enough to change both personnel and the system after the first 45 minutes. Also credit must go to the home clubs officials who whilst obviously disappointed at losing after being 2 goals ahead were full of praise for our comeback and were very hospitable ( some other clubs take note!!)

Donners

RUSSELL COTES CUP ROUND 1

TOTTON AND ELING V CHRISTCHURCH

MATCH RESULT 3 - 1 (AET)

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAVID LEGG
4. ADAM COSTELLO
5. BEN LUCAS
6. SIMON KEATES
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. PAUL RIDEOUT

Subs Used:

MARTIN LAWRENCE
BEN HATCH
PAUL MANNING

Christchurch were left to rue missed chances in a first half they totally dominated as they were knocked out of the Russell- Cotes cup at the first hurdle after extra time.

The visitors started well and on 2 minutes Paul Rideout hit the post after being set up by Tom Jeffes and on 5 minutes Jeffes lob went over the bar. It came as no surprise on 10 minutes that Church took the lead as Marc Fairbrother had a shot deflected for a corner from which skipper Dan Crutchley netted following a Ben Lucas header.

Christchurch continued to dominate with Mark Smith influential in midfield and Fairbrother and Costello dangerous on the right hand side and it was not until the half hour mark that Kearn had a save to make when he denied the home side in a one on one situation. Church looked to extend their lead and Ben Lucas was unlucky on 37 minutes when from a Smith free kick his header was well saved. The half time score of 0-1 was not a fair reflection of the play and this was to prove decisive later.

The second half started with Totton looking far more dangerous and it was no surprise when they equalised on 57 minutes with a shot from 20 yards. The home side looked more likely to score again but the impressive Ben Lucas was unlucky on 70 minutes when he headed against the bar from a corner and the nearest to a winning goal came in injury time from Totton when their substitute shot well wide when well placed.

So once again into extra time and possibly penalties but it was not to be as Totton scored twice in the space of 4 minutes in the second period both goals from close range and both possibly could have been defended better.

Extra time and a loss were the 2 last things Graham Kemp and his men wanted prior to the Vase game on Saturday and Poole midweek but they have shown great character before and I am sure they will do so again.

Donners

CHRISTCHURCH V BOURNEMOUTH POPPIES

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 1 - 2

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAN TAYLOR
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY
5. BEN LUCAS
6. MARTIN LAWRENCE
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. JAMES BURDEN

SUBS USED:

PAUL RIDEOUT
SIMON KEATES
TOM PRICE

It was unlucky 15 for Christchurch as they were defeated by an energetic Poppies team who worked very hard for each other and whose second goal was good enough to win any game.

The game started brightly for the home side wide with skipper Dan Crutchley narrowly wide with a header in the 1st minute and they took the lead on 5 minutes when Ben Osborne cleverly back heeled a Tom Jeffes cross into the net. They very nearly increased the lead on 14 minutes with Crutchley again in the thick of matters narrowly missing from close range.
After this though the visitors started to close down Church very quickly when they had possession and although their attacks did not trouble Kearn in the home goal they equalised with their first real threat on goal when a shot from Cann crept into the net. Stewart being an honest soul will readily admit he should have done better but you are allowed 1 mistake every season!!

With this goal Poppies gained in confidence and they were denied what looked a clear cut penalty and also by Ben Lucas heading just over his own crossbar.

The start of the second half was similar to the first with Jeffes firstly shooting well wide when in a good position and Fairbrother after a mazy run delaying his effort too long and being dispossessed. The game was won on 48 minutes when a 40 yard diagonal pass landed in the path of Scott Sanderson who thundered in an unstoppable shot from 22 yards into the top corner.

After this Church were restricted to few chances but they wasted 2 free kicks on the edge of the penalty area with Osborne & Lawrence shooting wide. The game should have been sewn up by Poppies on 75 minutes when Cann who was clean through on goal inexplicably passed to a colleague who was clearly offside.

Manager Graham Kemp then made a triple substitution on 78 minutes and whilst Church camped themselves into the visitors half the nearest they came to equalising was when Jason Harvell produced a superb save from a Mark Smith free kick.

A shame that Christchurch lost both their unbeaten home record and undefeated run but it was to a side full of confidence who could well be the dark horses in contention for the title.

MAN OF THE MATCH: BEN LUCAS

Donners

LYMINGTON TOWN V CHRISTCHURCH

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT 1 - 1

GOAL SCORER: Ben Osborne

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAN TAYLOR
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY
5. STEVE LINPOW
6. MARTIN LAWRENCE
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM PRICE
11. JAMES BURDEN

SUBS:

12. TOM JEFFES
14. PAUL RIDEOUT
15. COLIN DAND

Christchurch extended their unbeaten run to 14 games and were probably grateful for a point against a hard working Lymington side.

The game started with defender Adam Costello posing the most threat as an attacking force as on 4 minutes he headed against the bar from a Mark Smith corner and on 14 minutes from a Smith free kick he headed wide when he really should have hit the target.
The next 10 minutes saw Church threatening to open the scoring but failing to do so as both Marc Fairbrother and Tom Price came close but it was not all one way traffic with the home side coming close to opening their account on 25 minutes when only a superb clearance off the line from Steve Linpow saved Church and shortly after this Lymington's aggressive number 9 Jo Kittle shot narrowly wide from the edge of the penalty area.

On 34 minutes with the first real show of class in the game Church took the lead when excellent inter passing between Smith and Burden resulted in Ben Osborne finishing clinically from 10 yards. This should have been the start of the visitors dominating but it was not to be as just before half time Lymington exposed the defensive weakness on the right hand side of the Church defence resulting in skipper Darren Ritchie netting from close range.

The second half went from end to end with again the visitors looking the more dangerous side with Mark Smith probing in midfield but twice substitute Tom Jeffes was unable to hit the target from close range and also James Burden having a header cleared off the line. As the game drew to a conclusion a rare mistake from Linpow ( probably his first this season) resulted in a break down the right hand side and only a timely interception from impressive Church skipper Dan Crutchley from the resulting cross prevented a clear chance on goal.

A fair result but after last weekends heroics Church may feel it is 2 points dropped and now we move on to a very interesting November starting with Bournemouth Poppies on Tuesday!! I am sure Graham and his squad are more than capable of extending their undefeated run.

Donners